January 26, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes a short comment on an official notice from Assistant Adjutant General Lewis Richmond announcing that the command of the Army of the Potomac will be transferred from General Burnside to Joseph Hooker. Writes that it is a sorry day for the 9th Corps.

GLC03603.185.1

February 1, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Believes the winter campaign to be over. More men are allowed furloughs and there are plans to improve the camps. Hopes that arrangements will be made to have better mail service and that the sutlers will be supplied more efficiently.

GLC03603.187

February 5, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

The regiment has received orders to cook three days rations and prepare to leave for Fortress Monroe. Believes that this is connected to "the raid of rebel rams at Charleston & the temporary raising of a blockade" and that they may in fact be headed to Charleston. Mentions rumors about who General Burnside will be commanding. Lieutenant Shepard has resigned.

GLC03603.188

8 February 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes their early-morning departure from their camp near Fredericksburg and the trip on the steamer John Brooks. The men still do not know where they are headed, though Coit still suspects that the destination will be the Carolinas. Writes that he is troubled at how he has not honored the Sabbath day in about 15 months and says he is trying to be more particular about his behavior. Written near Fort Monroe in Virginia.

GLC03603.189

9 February 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes a short letter to say that they have arrived at Newport News. Expects that this is a rendezvous point and does not anticipate a long stay.

GLC03603.190

9 February 1863

Greene, Edward C., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles M. Coit

Writes asking if he will accept the enclosed gift of field glasses. She was unable to present them at the time of his visit home.

GLC03603.191

10 February 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes how he accidentally mailed an envelope of blank envelopes instead of an envelope full of letters to his family.

GLC03603.193

February 11, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes to request a bigger valise and reports having sold the one his family had sent to him for a $1 profit. Says that Colonel Harland is on his way to Norwich for a 15-day furlough and that he would like his family to send a new valise with him on his way back. Also requests a silk handkerchief, towels, a sash and a regulation hat. Then modifies his request to ask that his trunk be sent back to him with a longer list of items to enclose.

GLC03603.194

February 11, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been using the field glass that Miss Greene sent him. Asks advice on what he should write to thank her. Asks how to address her in a letter: "Is she "dear Madame" or what." Also writes that the long lost Harper's Ferry bundle that his family sent finally arrived. Believes that they are traveling to Suffolk and requests a valise rather than his trunk.

GLC03603.195

18 February 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has given the photographs of himself to Captain Hoyt and Lieutenant Goodrich. Requests more because "the Officers are exchanging quite freely." Asks that his trunk be sent by express. Writes that he has heard that Captain Pasco Coit has lost property recently. Requests guidance on what to write to Miss Greene.

GLC03603.196

18 February 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the mail deliveries are few and far between. Is still undecided on the issue of the valise and trunk because he is unsure of their destination and mode of travel. Writes that he has sent a picture of Lieutenant Goodrich in which he looks like he is ill.

GLC03603.197

February 25, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Encloses of draft of a thank you letter to Miss Greene. Thanks her for the glass and says that he is sure that no one can possibly understand how much the soldiers appreciate remembrances of home. Expresses a commitment to "crush this wicked rebellion and hasten the time when we once more return to dear old Connecticut." Describes seeing a review of the 9th Corps. Writes "I truly think the Connecticut brigade surpasses all others in marching and general appearance." Mentions that he would like to invite George to visit once he has a wall tent.

GLC03603.198

2 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has a wall tent to himself and gives directions for George to come for a visit.

GLC03603.199

4 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that George should bring a knife and fork with him on his visit. Mentions seeing Kate Lott of New London at the review. Says that he doesn't "think the army is any place for ladies to visit and I should prefer to have all my lady friends stay a great way off." Writes that he believes that General Burnside will once again be in charge of the 9th Corps.

GLC03603.200

6 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes on his way back to camp after a visit home. He is traveling by rail and ferry and writes about leaving his scarf on-board the train. Written "All Along Shore."

GLC03603.201

7 March 1863

Coit, George O., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Morgan Coit

Lets his brother know that he anticipates arriving at Fort Monroe on Tuesday morning. Writes that he has stayed with their Uncle William in Brooklyn, New York.

GLC03603.202

7 March 1863

Coit, George O., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother and brother

Describes the smoothness of the New Jersey Railroad ride as a byproduct of the flat and uninteresting country. He is on his way to visit his brother, Charles, and suggests that his mother and sister follow suit. He describes attending a Union meeting at Cooper Institute with Mr. Edwards while in New York. The speaker, Colonel Baird of Brooklyn, addressed a large crowd who were very excited by the strong Union/abolitionist sentiment. He also describes seeing a play and eating oysters with his uncle.

GLC03603.203

9 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes in anticipation of his brother's arrival. Hopes that they will have another large review while his brother is present. He writes that he really enjoyed an article that his mother has sent to him: "How a free people conduct a long war" by Charles J. Stills. He closes the letter with a note about seeing his brother on the dock, grinning as he comes to pick him up.

GLC03603.204

9 March 1863

Coit, George O., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother and sister

Describes the camp and goes into great detail about the Division Guard Mounting. Notes his feeling of pride at seeing the 8th Regiment's bullet-pierced flag and describes "Charlie's" daily duties.

GLC03603.205

9 March 1863

Coit, George O., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother and sister

Writes of meeting various Norwich acquaintances he has been seeing in the camp and attending church services.

GLC03603.206

11 March 1863

Coit, George O., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother and sister

Describes camp life and goes into detail about the meals that he has eaten. Remarks on the good spirits of the men in the camp and says that Captian Hoyt has offered to lend Charles and George horses so that they can ride to all the different camps.

GLC03603.207

15 March 1863

Coit, George O., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother and sister

Writes about having to send George away and of the impression he made on the other officers. He is still unsure of why the regiment was moved.

GLC03603.210

18 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he was regretful for sending George away so suddenly. He did so because of a rumor that the regiment might be involved in a battle. Some officers have their wives with them. Says that he has heard from Cousin Lemuel that George is very interested in going to war. Remarks that he was involved in a skirmish near Blackwater. He also says that the camp at Suffolk is "strongly fortified" with forts on every side.

GLC03603.211

22 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Thanks his mother for sending the newspapers and clippings. Writes of experiencing a very bad snow storm and the poor conditions of the enlisted mens' shelters. Whiskey was served to the entire regiment for warmth. Believes that his regiment is there merely to hold the land that has been captured. Gives a summary of what has happened to the men who were wounded at Antietam. Requests more photographs to trade. Written at Camp Suffolk.

GLC03603.212

18 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: Charles Morgan Coit to George O. Coit

Writes that he wishes George could have come with him but that it was a very long, cold journey from Newport News to Suffolk. Asks that George write him from Baltimore, Maryland. Written at Camp Suffolk.

GLC03603.213